Within the robust progression of the Vietnam – Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Haiphong City consistently takes pride in being one of the leading localities in actualizing local-level cooperation commitments. Notably, the friendly relationship with Kagawa Prefecture – the "gem" of Japan's Shikoku region – stands as an enduring symbol of resilience, trust, and mutual efficiency. This article reviews the historical milestone of over 20 years of collaborative partnership and outlines the orientation for future breakthrough developments, particularly on the occasion of the recent working visit of the Governor of Kagawa Prefecture to Haiphong in April 2026.
Chairman of City People’s Committee Do Thanh Trung, leaders of departments and agencies and Kagawa delegates posed a commemorative photo (Source: https://baohaiphong.vn)
- Kagawa and Haiphong: Shared Similarities and Synergy Potential
Situated in the northern part of Shikoku Island, Kagawa Prefecture, despite being the smallest prefecture by geographic area in Japan, possesses remarkably formidable economic and cultural prowess. Boasting a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 30.2 billion and a dominant strength in the service sector (accounting for 71.6%) and the industry-construction sector (accounting for 26.3%), Kagawa serves as an ideal partner for a port city on a rapid path of modernization like Haiphong.
Mirroring Haiphong's economic structure, Kagawa features a comprehensive seaport network and the large-scale Bannosu coastal industrial zone, which serves as the backbone for heavy industries including shipbuilding, construction machinery, and chemicals. Furthermore, the striking similarities in maritime culture and a profound appreciation for the arts – exemplified by world-class architectural wonders and the renowned Setouchi Triennale Art Festival – have woven an invisible yet unbreakable bond between the citizens of both localities.
- A Two-Decade Journey: From Friendly Exchanges to Official Partnership
The relationship between Haiphong and Kagawa is not a spontaneous development but rather the fruit of a long-term, continuous nurturing process initiated in 2005. Over the past 20 years, both sides have maintained a high frequency of reciprocal delegation exchanges with outstanding productivity.
- From the Haiphong side: Delegations representing the leadership of the City People's Council and the City People's Committee visited Kagawa in 2006, 2013, 2016, and most recently, a department-level delegation in September 2025.
- From the Kagawa side: The Prefectural Government and Assembly conducted milestone working visits in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2024, and 2025.
The ultimate milestone in bilateral relations occurred on August 29, 2024, with the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishing formal exchange and cooperation relations. This legal framework serves as a solid commitment from both governments to accelerate mutual development across 5 core pillars: economy, tourism, culture, education, and science-technology.
- Substantiated and Highly Productive Pillars of Cooperation
The success of the Haiphong – Kagawa partnership is vividly demonstrated through concrete results accomplished across multiple strategic fields:
- Education and Human Resource Training: This stands as a bright spot in bilateral ties. Through the strategic matchmaking of the Kagawa Vocational Schools Association and Anabuki Academy, numerous vocational and nursing training programs have been successfully deployed. Students from the Haiphong Polytechnic College, the Haiphong Vocational College of Technology, and the Haiphong Medical College have gained invaluable opportunities for academic exchange, field studies, and specialized scholarships from Japan. Crucially, the nursing scholarship program not only addresses Kagawa's human resource challenges but also enables Haiphong workers to access an advanced, professional working environment.
- Healthcare and Public Health: Supported by funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) between 2011 and 2019, both localities effectively executed projects aimed at developing preventive healthcare personnel and constructing prevention models against lifestyle-related diseases. These projects directly upgraded local laboratory capacities, enhanced food safety and hygiene standards, and positively transformed health behaviors for thousands of Haiphong citizens.
- Environment and Sustainable Development: Haiphong and Kagawa are actively taking joint actions for a green planet. The project titled "Marine Debris Reduction through Community Engagement on Cat Ba Island," initiated in 2025, stands as an explicit testament to the tight coordination between Kagawa Prefecture and Cat Hai Special District in preserving the city's key ecological tourism systems.
- Investment and Trade Promotion: Facilitated by virtual business seminars and targeted trade missions, Haiphong’s investment environment has been widely introduced to dozens of major corporations across Kagawa Prefecture, opening up extensive prospects for high-tech supporting industry projects.
- The Working Visit of Governor Ikeda Toyohito and the 2026 Strategic Vision
On April 22, 2026, Haiphong City had the distinct honor of welcoming a high-level working delegation led by the Governor of Kagawa Prefecture, Mr. Ikeda Toyohito. Governor Ikeda Toyohito is a leading expert in infrastructure development, having previously held numerous vital positions within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. Guided by his inspiring philosophy, "Above the clouds, the sun always shines," Governor Ikeda Toyohito instills robust confidence in a powerful new chapter of bilateral cooperation.
This high-profile visit aimed at conducting direct high-level talks with the leadership of the Haiphong People's Committee to comprehensively realize the terms inscribed in the 2024 MOU. At the working session, leaders from both localities agreed upon an expansive future cooperation agenda comprising the following strategic directions:
- Expanding the Scope of Industrial Cooperation: Capitalizing on Governor Ikeda’s exceptional expertise in infrastructure, Haiphong expects Kagawa to provide strategic consultancy and attract foreign direct investment into transportation, logistics, and coastal green industrial projects.
- Promoting Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Actively organizing cultural weeks and Kagawa art exhibitions in Haiphong, and vice versa, to enhance mutual understanding and emotional connection between the two peoples. Concurrently, both sides will continue to encourage high school student delegations to participate in cultural festivals in Kagawa, building upon the successful precedent established in 2025.
- Driving Digital Transformation in Education and Healthcare: Practicalizing online training technologies from Anabuki Academy and smart medical management models of Kagawa into Haiphong’s public infrastructure.
- Developing Sustainable Tourism: Strategically connecting tourism infrastructure between Haiphong (centered on the Cat Ba Archipelago) and Kagawa (centered on its world-renowned art islands) to create highly attractive, international green travel itineraries.
The cooperative and friendly relationship between Haiphong and Kagawa is not merely shaped by signed administrative documents, but is first and foremost built upon sincerity, mutual respect, and a shared aspiration toward sustainable development. There is absolute confidence that the landmark visit of Governor Ikeda Toyohito to Haiphong will instill an impactful momentum to further deepen the friendship between the two localities, contributing practically to mutual development and shared prosperity. With a high sense of responsibility and profound goodwill, Haiphong pledges to remain a thoroughly trustworthy partner, standing ready to accompany and exert maximum efforts to actualize our common goals, steering the Haiphong – Kagawa relationship toward substantive depth, long-term stability, and ultimate efficiency.